Vielo V+1 Review: A Fast, Minimal British All-Road Gravel Bike

Introduction

The Vielo V+1 is an all-road and gravel bike from a small British company that first launched the original V+1 back in 2018. This new version keeps the character that made the original distinctive, and it updates the parts that matter most for modern gravel riding: tyre clearance, geometry, and drivetrain options.

It is also a bike built around a firm design decision. The V+1 is a 1x-only platform, which means a single chainring at the front and no front derailleur. Vielo is open about designing the frame around that choice rather than trying to please everyone.

The range is refreshingly simple. There is essentially one model, offered in two carbon grades: a more affordable lighter-weight version and a higher-grade carbon version. This test bike is the higher-grade carbon model in the top build.

Who This Bike Is For

The V+1 makes most sense for riders who want one bike that is genuinely quick on tarmac but still confident on gravel. The longer, slacker, lower geometry puts the rider more inside the bike rather than perched on top of it, and the result is a calm, planted feel at speed on loose surfaces.

That stability also pays off on steep, technical descents. A longer reach with a shorter stem means better control through tight corners and switchbacks, and it makes rough trail sections far less intimidating than a twitchy cyclocross machine.

Riders who cover long distances at a fast pace, whether on road, hard-packed gravel, or smooth woodland trails, are the natural audience here.

It is also a practical choice for anyone who wants a bike that can be used all year. Mudguard mounts are still present, which is a detail that reflects the British design approach behind the bike.

Main Strengths

The most significant change over the original V+1 is tyre clearance. The old bike topped out at a 42mm tyre, while this version accepts up to 50mm and works with either 700c or 650b wheels. This test bike runs 45mm tyres on 700c wheels with plenty of room to spare.

Speed is the standout quality. A stiff carbon frame, low overall weight, fast carbon wheels, and those wide tyres add up to a bike that is no slouch on the road. It holds speed well on gravel too, which makes it a strong option for point-to-point gravel racing or simply for riders who do not want to give up road pace.

The frame details are quietly impressive up close. There are no drop rear stays, there is noticeable profiling and shaping through the carbon tubes, and the finish is conservative in the best sense rather than outlandish.

The one-by drivetrain deserves credit as well. Removing the front derailleur frees up space around the down tube, bottom bracket, and chainstays, which allows more tyre clearance, more stiffness, and lower weight. The 12-speed cassette on this build, with its 10-44 spread and single-tooth progression through the first six sprockets, gives smooth steps and plenty of range for steep climbs.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Comfort is very good but not class-leading. The bike feels firm and stiff, and much of the smoothness comes from running those wide tyres at low pressure. It handles big hits, potholes, roots, and rocks without being jarring, and it copes well with high-frequency chatter from corrugated or washboard gravel. Even so, it is not as compliant as some softer gravel bikes, and it is at its best on smoother gravel, back country lanes, and well-maintained woodland trails rather than the roughest off-road routes.

The 1x-only design is a defining feature, and it will not suit everyone. If you want the option of a front derailleur, this is not the bike for you. Vielo will spec the chainring size you need or supply additional chainrings, which helps, but the 44-tooth chainring on this build leans heavily toward road and smooth gravel speed and can feel tall on steep climbs or when the bike is loaded with luggage.

Ground clearance is a deliberate trade-off. The bottom bracket sits at a 70mm drop rather than the 80mm found on more progressive gravel bikes. That keeps the rider lower and more settled in the bike, but it is a sensible compromise rather than a purely aggressive setup, since very low bottom brackets raise the risk of clipping pedals on rocks and roots. The handling is also calmer and less lively than some quicker-steering gravel bikes, which is a strength at speed but a different feel for riders who prefer a sharper front end.

The remaining consideration is straightforward. This is a boutique, small-company bike with a price tag to match, and the top build sits at the very top of the range.

Buying Advice

The top build tested here is comprehensively equipped: SRAM Red with Explorer gearing, a 10-44 cassette at the rear, carbon cranks and brake levers, Zipp 303 S carbon wheels, 45mm WTB Riddler tyres, a one-piece carbon handlebar and stem, a matching carbon seat post, a Fabric saddle, and matching bar tape. This size medium weighs 8.2kg without pedals, which is a respectable figure for a bike with tyres this wide.

The good news is that you are not forced into the flagship model. A frameset is available for around £3,200 for riders who want to build the bike themselves with new parts or components they already own, and complete bikes start at around £4,400 with Shimano GRX, which compares well against similarly spec’d gravel bikes from larger brands. Vielo also allows a wide range of build customisation, so you can tune the bike to your riding rather than accepting a fixed spec.

The top build costs £9,999, which is a hard number to swallow. It is worth being clear about what you are paying for: a lightweight carbon frame, a carefully considered 1x-only design, fast wheels, and an understated aesthetic that stands out from the primary-colour graphics found on a lot of bikes. If the budget stretches that far, the bike delivers. If it does not, the lower carbon grade and the GRX complete build offer most of the same character for considerably less.

Conclusion

The Vielo V+1 is, at heart, a fat-tyred drop-bar bike that is quick on the road, capable on gravel, and everything in between. The bigger tyre clearance and the revised geometry are meaningful improvements over the original, and they bring the bike into line with the best gravel bikes available right now.

The looks are a genuine part of the appeal: pastel shades, minimal branding, no logos shouting from the down tube, and a clean, subtle finish that rewards a second look. Underneath the paint is a well-shaped carbon frame and fork with real attention to detail.

The value question is honest and simple. The price is high, but the bike does not disappoint in return, and there is something appealing about a small company making a bold, stylish, single-minded product. For riders who want a fast all-road bike with a clear design philosophy and the budget to match, the V+1 is a compelling package.